Fantasy Land: Stud and Dud for Week 5

Receive the latest blue-star updates in your inbox

In what will be a weekly occurence, we'll give suggestions on who to start in your fantasy league, and who to sit on the bench. We'll try to avoid stating the obvious, like "start Tom Brady" and dig a little deeper for some less obvious choices. Enough with the introduction, let's get started...

Stud of the Week: Cam Newton, QB, CAR — Coming out of Auburn, Cam Newton was under a ton of scrutiny. Thanks in large part to his off-the-field controversy in college, and also because of his mechanics and skill set, many pegged him as a failure, at least early on. Boy were they wrong. Newton has torched opposing teams this season and is on pace to throw for 5,544 yards, which would break the NFL rookie record held by Dan Marino, set in 1984. Newton goes up against the Saints this week and a defense that has allowed an average of 281 yards and two touchdowns to opposing QBs this year. It could be another big day for Newton.

Dud of the Week: Matt Schaub, QB, HOU —Andre Johnson is the arguably the best wide receiver in football. Andre Johnson is now out for at least this weekend and possibly another few weeks. That will without a doubt hurt Schaub's value against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. Oakland has let opposing QBs torch its defense this season, so Schaub has a shot, but he'll have to do with the likes of Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones, who should be added in all leagues.